Travel Health Service Year 2012

Current Travel Health News

Travel Health News

Travel Health News Digest (22 October 2012)

India: Malaria

In Goa, India, there was a sudden rise of malaria cases this year with a total of 1 145 cases recorded in the first 9 months this year as compared to 935 cases in the whole year last year.

(Source: ProMED-mail 15 October 2012)

 

Germany: Legionnaires' Disease

An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease was reported at Heilbronn, Germany. As of 12 October, 4 people were affected. Investigation was carried out by the local health authority to identify the source of outbreak.

(Source: ProMED-mail 15 October 2012)

 

Chile: Meningococcal Meningitis

In Chile, there was a recent increase in cases of meningococcal meningitis. Between January and October 2012, 83 cases of meningococcal meningitis with 17 deaths had been confirmed. Most of the cases were detected in the Metropolitan Region, which includes Santiago, and the region of Valparaiso. Most of the cases from the Metropolitan Region were caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W135.

(Source: ProMED-mail 16 and 17 October 2012)

 

Portugal: Dengue Fever [Update]

As of 13 December 2012, a total of 18 confirmed cases and 191 probable cases of dengue fever had been reported in Madeira, Portugal.

(Source: World Health Organisation 17 October 2012)

 

Syria: Black Travel Alert

As widespread violent clashes occurred in many cities across Syria, including Daraa, Latakia, Damascus, Baniyas, Aleppo, Homs and Hama, resulting in serious casualties, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has raised the Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) for Syria to Black. Residents are urged to avoid all travel to the country. Those already there should attend to their personal safety and avoid protests and large gatherings of people.

For more information, please visit the OTA webpage.

(Source: Security Bureau, Government of Hong Kong SAR 26 April 2011)

 

Philippines: Black Travel Alert

Following the hostage taking incident in the Philippines which had caused casualties, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has raised the Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) for the Philippines to Black. Hong Kong residents are urged to avoid all travel to the Philippines. Those already there should attend to their personal safety and stay alert.

For more information, please visit the OTA webpage.

(Source: Security Bureau, Government of Hong Kong SAR 20 September 2010)

 

WHO FAQs: Japan Nuclear Concerns

For more information, please visit the World Health Organization webpage.